It's all good bro, happens to the best of us.. I hespect you for admitting fault. I apologize if I was being a dick myself.
But if you wanna break this scrap down, I'm up for it. I'm not a fan really of either guy so I promise I'm not being biased when I tell you I think Jones beats him. I just think he's a bit much for Izzy man... The chin, the size, the experience. Izzy has a lot of versatility on the feet and can land on anyone but Jones is really versatile with strikes himself and I think he'll find a way to not get hit cleanly on the head much, land some grimmy kicks himself, and eventually just make it a clinch, grappling dirty fight and find a RnC. That would be my prediction. As much as I hate Jones, he's a smart, savvy fighter who finds a way to win, you gotta give him that.
Nah bro you're good, I would've gone harder if the roles were reversed honestly, don't really deserve your graciousness.
Anyway I'll admit I'm being biased, but I'm trying my best to keep it out of my analysis. I agree with everything you're saying, if this were picto or prime Jones. Obviously his fight IQ isn't going to deteriorate, but his reflexes and decision making aren't what they were in say the DC 2 fight (which he was all dick pilled out for). I'm not questioning his will to win or his IQ at all, he wouldn't be such a long reigning champion otherwise.
The thing is that Jones dropping his belt and asking if we'd be mad if he came back to take it from Jan was very telling. He was obviously running from Reyes, he'd act insulted whenever he was asked questions about the rematch and would deny that fight was ever offered to him, even though Dana said otherwise publicly. I believe the reason he's planning a move up to HW is because he's not confident in his ability to deal with the speed anymore. At heavyweight he'd be the faster more agile fighter again.
Think about it, Jones even called it at the preflight presser, he told Reyes in his face that all he had was a straight left and the occasional body kick, even mocked him for claiming he's a superior athlete. But what happened in the fight? Jones being well aware of what Reyes brought to the table, couldn't stop Doms offense, and was taken to his most controversial decision to date (which have been stacking up lately in his career). A lesser striker in Jan showed everyone just how limited Dom is, and yet Jon couldn't deal with him.
Jan is also slow for LHW, which is why Jon "teased us" with moving back down. The guy isn't stupid when it comes to his career. All of his decisions are extremely calculated. He doesn't like fighting guys who are faster or have a similar frame to him, these guys have caused him the most problems.
That brings me to Izzy. He's the same height as Jones, at a slight reach disadvantage, but I believe this would be nullified by the difference in striking ability. Besides Jon mostly uses his arm length defensively for framing. Jon isn't a big jabber must of his punches are in close, he mostly uses kicks at distance. Izzy is a master at kicking, striking ranges, and their defense. I don't think Izzy would fall for Jon's traps, nor would he be picked apart from the outside. He'd punish Jones with his superior countering ability and speed.
Clinching and wrestling dept is all Jones, obviously. That said Jon has had trouble getting guys of similar build to the ground. Izzy having his kickboxing style rooted in Muay thai, probably has a pretty decent clinch, I haven't really seen him work it much, but I don't doubt it's there. I don't think he'd be lost there, even when it comes to trips and singles. Training in the clinch for a long time helps you guage when your opponent is shifting weight to attempt any movement in the clinch. Dropping levels is pretty major and I think Izzy would pick up on it pretty quickly.
If Jon does get Izzy to the ground with time to spare, I think Izzy has a rough couple of minutes and is most likely finished, however I can see him surviving for upwards of a minute. How long can Jon survive on the feet?
